San Diego Chargers Already Super Bowl XLVIII Champions?

By Anthony Blake

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

In the world of overzealous predictions that we currently live in, players don’t even need to be remotely close to the big game to make Joe Namath-like proclamations these days. The San Diego Chargers have been nowhere near the Super Bowl in the past three seasons (heck, they haven’t made the playoffs), but that didn’t stop safety Eric Weddle from providing some ammunition to the other 31 teams in the league by calling the Bolts the best in the NFL… in April.

According to U-T San Diego, on Tuesday the Pro Bowl safety said: “Now, shoot, I feel like we’re the best team in the league. And a lot of that is because of coach (Mike) McCoy and the way he presents himself — the way he portrays what he wants. A lot of what you are as a team is attitude and you can control that. I’m just excited. It’s a new year, a new belief. Until the season ends, I think we’re going to be the best.”

As if this wasn’t enough to put Bolts fans on the defensive (or offensive depending on your perspective), fuel was added to the fire with the NFL schedule release on Thursday. Here’s a tweet from ESPN analyst Trey Wingo who pointed out a peculiar anomaly over the past four years in the league.

Congratulations to the San Diego Chargers.. your Super Bowl 48 Champions!! Play Eagles in home opener.. last 4 have won SB

As crazy as it seems, the Chargers appear destined for Super Bowl greatness thanks to the schedule makers. It may lack any scientific evidence to actually support the fact, but the Bolts opening with the Philadelphia Eagles is at least noteworthy given the history that is pointed out here. Chronologically, the past four teams to open the year with Philly have been the New Orleans Saints, the Green Bay Packers, the New York Giants and the Baltimore Ravens.

Regardless of your superstition level, this is at least an interesting factoid worth mentioning. The Chargers can use any karma they can get at this point after three consecutive years watching to playoffs from a couch somewhere. Let’s hope that this scheduling quirk continues to hold true in 2013 and the Bolts can be hoisting the Lombardi when February rolls around next year.

Anthony Blake is a Senior Writer/Copy Editor for Rant Sports. You Can Follow Him on Twitter, on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.